Zyla: The Last Chapter

ZYLA: SWEET REVENGE

=ZYLA=

“When will I see you again?” Day asked when she was suddenly beside me. I put my phone away.

“I don’t know. There’s no pattern to our meetings.” I replied as I crouched down to her level. My sister had taught me that this will make talking to children easier.

“But I might not see you for a long time because we are going travelling again. Is there a chance that you can come see us?”

“We’ll see. If chance permits, I might.” I gave Day a little smile.

            I looked over at my family sitting inside the airport lounge. They’re all talking happily but I have seen this scene many times which was always after dinner. It’s that “next day after dinner” scene where everyone is making the most of the time until we all go our separate ways again. Of course, this time, a person like me who is sometimes clueless of the simple things knows that this is all for the sake of the little girl in front of me. The first time I realized that, I learned what heartache was. I feared what would happen to this scene if Day were to really die. It’s really not that hard to understand why it would break everyone’s heart. Day is family but most of all, death is something we never expected since we are immortals of this world. With that said, I must get back to work.

“You should go and talk more to your grandparents.” I said to Day.

“Okay.” Day said before kissing my cheeks and running back inside.

            I stood up at the same time that mom turned around to look at me. I nodded at her then headed off to my own flight. I never really give everyone a proper goodbye because I just don’t need to. We will always see each other again. My flight departed on schedule this time and just as I was complaining that I’m here in the city where my mate is, that all too familiar scent that I can only smell reached my nose. It’s funny how things turn out this way on a normal day when I am normally just waiting for a taxi. I sighed and turned around but I didn’t need to look for him, he was already headed towards me.

“Miss Harper, we meet again and I dare say that you just made my day lovelier.” He said and I unknowingly gripped the strap of my bag. His closeness is a bit overwhelming to my personal space and to my heart.

“Surprisingly” I said as I watched him take off his sunglasses but it was a bad move since I found myself staring at those light brown eyes.

“Is it? If I must say, this must be fate.” I can tell he is joking but the irony is on spot to being hilarious.

“Why are you here, Mr. Johnson?”

“Please, I insist that you call me William or Will.”

“…” For some reason, I could not bring myself to call him by his first name. It feels too…intimate.

“Are you waiting for a ride?” I nodded. “Well then let me offer you one. A small favor for the big favor that you did for Kylie.”

“Okay.”

            I have no intention of refusing the generous offer. I get a ride on this horrible traffic and I also get to observe my mate more, it’s hitting two birds with one stone. I followed him and his assistant to the car.

“So where did you go? It must be a short trip since you’re only carrying a small backpack.” He asked when the car started moving.

            I looked at him then tried to brainwash myself to look like a normal human.

“I just went home to my family for dinner.” I started and thought it was a nice normal human start. “My mother would become a drama queen if I don’t go especially when the whole family was there. How is your sister?”

“Miserable, but she’s coping. She’s a strong girl, she’ll get over it. However, that Gary is using his company share as a shield if we touch him, what a coward.”

            I can see Mr. Joh- , I mean William’s frustration and remembering that pretty man in the elevator, I got infected with frustration as well. However, more on my part, this Gary guy is like my boss in a way and that trust and carefree deal with the company is starting to crumble in my mind. I mean what if he’s not the only one like that and I’m trusting them with my work? I silently sighed but then I remembered the contract that I haven’t signed yet. I sometimes do wonder why I’m being called a genius.

"Are you heading straight to main headquarters?” I asked William.

"We'll drop you off first."

"No, I think I need to go to the company as well. I was actually there that day for contract renewal and I forgot everything because of the incident with your sister."

"Our genius Zyla Harper actually forgets things easily. Is it a flaw for being a genius?” He joked after looking at me silently for a second.

I surprised myself when I stuck my tongue out at him. It's the first time I ever did such a thing to a total stranger. Not really a stranger but a stranger nonetheless.

"That's actually a great timing. The situation is actually like this. We were informed that you included in the contract that we can do anything we want with your inventions and you will not interfere. Some higher ups are actually using that to convince others to turn some of your inventions to bioweapons. It's been going on for years actually especially when your self-powered machines were released. They are trying to use the same concept for weapons because supplying for the military can bring in billions. My father and the majority of the higher ups had always disagreed but with the successor issue, they're pushing for a decision to be made.”

“Bioweapons? I didn’t think my laziness would cause such a thing.” I didn’t realize I said that out loud but I felt a small knock on my forehead then a spark.

            William was smiling when I looked at him but it’s more of an amused grin. I touched the spot where he knocked.

“You are really one of a kind.” He said as he straightened up on his seat.

“So you want to use this opportunity to shut them down?” I clarified and he nodded.

            I looked away and looked out the window instead to contemplate. Aside from research, I never really used my brain fully for other stuff and yet here I am. I don’t want my work to be harmful since they are just supposed to be helpful but at the same time, I don’t want to attract attention nor conflict from anyone, it has the potential to destroy my carefree life that I’m having at the moment.

=WILLIAM=

            I enjoyed watching those usual calm waters in her eyes dance whenever I tease her with this mate thing but I can’t say that I feel the same as I watched her from the window reflection. With the proximity between us at the moment, I can barely feel it but it’s there, her feeling of conflict but then suddenly, relief. As I was about to ask her, we had already arrived in front of the building. A monthly board meeting is scheduled in less than 15 minutes and I didn’t think twice to lead Zyla inside the conference room. I sat at the head of the table and I had Zyla sit next to me because it seems like she already firmly decided on something.

“You trust me don’t you?” Zyla suddenly asked me.

            I looked at her but the others were already starting to arrive so I didn’t have the chance once again. The room started to get crowded minute by minute and the curiosity of who the woman beside me was very obvious in the air and in their faces. Of course they don’t recognize her and it’s not that surprising as well that Zyla never gave them the chance to see her. With her personality, I can easily guess that Zyla never attends any company gatherings or parties. However, if these people really did care, they would have cared to make an effort to at least see the face of their benefactor. Gary, on the other hand, is the only one who recognize her and he’s not that happy to see her but what exactly can he do when Zyla’s gaze at him is colder, enough to freeze him on his seat.

"Ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce to you our legendary inventor, Miss Harper." I started the meeting straight to the point and murmurs started around the table. "Going straight to the point, she's here to discuss about her inventions and the bioweapons.”

"But she has no say in anything, she included it in the contract herself." A confident middle-aged man stated and some nodded in agreement but some of them were still observing me so I just stayed quiet and emotionless. This is actually a good opportunity for me to further observe these men and women. “That is true but only if her contract with the company is still in effect.”

“Well thankfully, I haven’t renewed my contract yet then.” Zyla said and the room went dead quiet. “The thing is that, I won’t say anything about the bioweapons and I will continue working for the company…”

            I watched as people started heaving a sigh of relief and for a moment, I was confused but Zyla looked at me and I remember what she asked me earlier. My doubt disappeared and I was threatened to smile. My dear girl has something else up her sleeves. The noise continued in the conference room and someone even stood up to thank Zyla.

“Thank yo-“

            Zyla did not give him a chance to continue as she finally revealed her card.

“But only if two conditions are met. One, I want that man stripped away of his shares from this company and kicked out.” Zyla said as she pointed at Gary who had a different color on his face in a span of seconds.

“You can’t do that!” Gary tried to defend himself.

“I can’t. It’s illegal but I’m sure the others here can find a way to fulfill this condition of mine. I am doing this to protect myself because this mister here had shown me a very distrusting side the other day. I won’t be able to work in peace if I know that he’s still working here.”

            I watched Gary squirm under everyone’s gazes, including his father’s furious gaze. He could not say anything and when his gaze finally landed on me, I could not help but smirk and he finally knew that he is defeated. It is illegal to just strip him off his shares since he bought those shares with his own money but a lot of people, including his father, knows a lot of dirt on him. Gary knows that those dirts are going to be used against him.

"Second, the contract will be rewritten that starting today, Mr. William Johnson will be the only sole decision maker on my behalf for my inventions and products. Without his consent, no one can use my works freely and in any way." Zyla continued.

The room went wild once again, protest from all side was heard but I’m too busy silently admiring my girl to pay them any mind.

"Take it or leave it, that's my final offer. Anyways, it doesn't affect me in anyway. I'm already rich and I can find another laboratory or even build one for myself. Just remember that it was also included in the contract that I leave with everything. You, yourselves, gave me that deal without a single word from me." Zyla delivered the final blow.

            The meeting ended in chaos but still, a decision was still made and the company cannot afford to lose Zyla now that the competition in the market is high. We’re leading and winning because of Zyla’s inventions and to suddenly lose all of that, every single person in the company will be affected. Therefore, in a satisfying conclusion, everyone had to agree. This is how the debate for bioweapons ended but Zyla is not our only inventor, there are also others who are talented and capable enough. This is why before something like that happen, I have to accumulate more power to make them fear me. Only then can I really make this company grow.